Beautiful
Bathroom Designs
On A Budget
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Table Of Contents
1. A Beautiful Bathroom At A Fraction Of The Cost
2. Consider The Purpose Of The Remodel
3. Prioritize
4. Simple Ways To Keep Costs Down
5. Making An Impact
6.Look For Savings
Your bathroom needs a facelift, but you don’t have a lot of money to
spend. Relax. You do not need mega bucks to create the spa-like retreat of
your dreams. All you really need is a plan.
1. A Beautiful Bathroom at a Fraction of the Cost
The average bathroom remodeling project costs between $10,000
and $30,000 according to industry statistics. That does not mean
you have to spend that much. With a little creativity and some
know-how, you can turn your old bathroom into a space to show
off, no matter how tight the budget. Before you log onto Pinterest
looking for ideas, there is one important thing you must do: set
your budget. Until you know exactly how much you have to spend,
it will be impossible to set priorities for your project. Consider
the amount that you have to spend. Now, subtract 20% from that
amount (set this amount aside for unexpected expenses). The
remainder is the budget you have to work with. For example, if you
can afford to spend $5,000 on your new bathroom, set $1,000 aside
as a contingency fund. That leaves you $4,000 to work with. Now you can begin figuring out what is
most important to you when it comes to designing your new space.
2. Consider the Purpose of the Remodel
Once you have established a workable budget for your
bathroom remodel, the next thing you need to do is to think
about why you are revamping the room in the first place.
Does your bathroom look worn and tired? Is it outdated?
Grungy? Does it lack appropriate storage space? Or do
you need to make it accommodate special needs like aging
parents or small children? Answering these questions will
help you decide whether the space needs a basic facelift or a
complete overhaul.
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3. Prioritize
Now that you know the functions your new bathroom will serve,
make a list of everything you would like to do in it. Your list may
include things like:
• Install new toilet
• Expand the shower
• New Tile
• New Paint
• Upgrade cupboards and countertops
• New Lighting
Prioritizing the list from most important to least important will help you decide what to cut from the
project should your budget not allow for everything to be done at once.
4. Simple Ways to Keep Costs
Down
If you are working with a tight remodeling
budget, you will need to look for ways to get
the most bang for your buck. That includes
finding savings wherever you can. Here
are a few simple tips to help you keep costs
down:
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Do as much of the work yourself as
possible. Labor costs can eat away at even
the healthiest remodeling budget. The best
way to curtail costs is to do as much DIY
work as possible. Keep in mind though
that hiring a professional to handle specialty services like plumbing, electrical and tile work can
sometimes be a time and money saver simply because the pro knows exactly what they are doing
and won’t make costly mistakes.
• Keep the same footprint. Moving plumbing can be
costly. By keeping the same basic footprint in the
room, you can save on extra costs associated with
relocating expensive services like plumbing, heating
and electrical.
• Schedule your remodeling project during the off
season. You can save big bucks simply by choosing the
right time for your bathroom remodel. It is usually
best to buy products (like tile and fixtures) between
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January and March. The worst time to buy is in the
fall, since many people are rushing to finish projects
before the holidays. Most showrooms offer deep
discounts during the cold winter months because
fewer people are remolding then and they need to
clear out older merchandise for newer brands and
models. Contractors too may offer discounts for midwinter work. While spring and summer may be more
convenient times for big projects, they also tend to be
the most expensive – and harder to schedule.
• Consider Less of a Remodel and More of an Upgrade. When most people think of remodeling, they
think about removing walls, changing layouts and replacing everything in the bathroom. While
creating a brand new space can be exciting – it is also expensive. Giving your bathroom a whole new
look and feel may not require a total renovation, but rather, more of an upgrade. Some simple things
you can do to upgrade your current space on a budget include:
• Freshen the caulk and grout. Old grout can make a room
look grungy and worn. Simply redoing the grout and caulk
can freshen the space and make everything look cleaner
and brighter.
• Paint. Changing the color palette in the room can make it
feel like a whole new room.
• Update the fixtures. One of the first things to make a room
look outdated is older fixtures. Change out the lighting,
faucets and drawer pulls for a more modern look.
5. Making an Impact
Whether you are planning a complete re-do of your bathroom, or simply want to find ways to make your
space look fresh, you want to make an impact. Design experts know the trick to creating a spectacular
space: concentrate on one eye catching piece. By drawing the eye to one area of the room, you can make
the impact you want without redoing everything. Here are some ideas to make the most of your budget
dollars.
Splurge on a Single Eye Catching Piece
Have you always dreamed of installing a claw foot tub?
Or maybe you want to design a spa-like shower. Choose
one area to concentrate on and give it your best. One
modern trick many designers are using today is to
revamp an old dresser to use as a bathroom vanity. It
is usually a cheaper way to add flavor and style, leaving
more money to use elsewhere in the room.
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Limited Style
Tile can be expensive, especially when you are replacing
it all. Instead, find a beautiful decorative tile and add a
horizontal stripe to the shower, or a decorative soap dish.
Or simply replace the flooring tile and leave the shower tile
as-is or vice versa). The key here is to use what you have and
create a statement by adding those specialty touches that
grab attention.
Install New Countertops
Installing new countertops can make even an older
cupboard look great. Since bathroom vanity tops
are generally small, you can usually replace the one
you have for a minimal amount. Buying a slab with
imperfections and having it cut to fit the space can
save even more money.
Consider Ready-To-Assemble (RTA) Cabinets
Custom cabinetry can cost a fortune, and usually
isn’t necessary. Todays’ ready-to-assemble
cabinets offer a high end look for a fraction of the cost. Made to last, RTA cabinets rival their custom
counterparts, offering the style, durability and beauty that you are looking for.
6. Look for Savings
When planning a bathroom remodeling project, every
penny you can save will allow you to do more with
the room. So where can you squeak out even more
savings? Here are some tips:
• Go with color. When choosing countertops and
tile, go with a bit of color. Neutral colors are the most
popular and therefore the most expensive. Choosing
something a little different is always cheaper. Plus,
it gives you the opportunity to add some style to the
room.
• Look for classic, not trendy. Trendy hardware and
decorative pieces are not only more expensive, but they
go out of style quickly. Opt instead for classier styles.
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• Be creative. Instead of investing in standard lighting or
other accents, be creative. Use old piping as a unique
towel rack or install an antique chandelier instead of
standard bathroom lighting. Think outside of the box for
the best deals – and the most interesting look.
• Go green. It may cost a little more upfront, but installing
water saving toilets and shower heads can save you
more in the long run.
• Go Surplus. Buying surplus not only saves you money,
but gives you the opportunity to buy higher end items
you might not otherwise be able to afford. Remember,
there is nothing wrong with surplus items; they are
simply available because a store bought too many of a
single item. Their mistake allows you the chance to buy
that high-end tile; jetted tub; or expensive lighting package for a fraction of the cost.
Don’t put off remodeling your bathroom any longer. No matter how big or small your budget, you can
create the luxurious spa-like retreat of your dreams. Remodeling a bathroom does not have to cost a
fortune. In many cases it can be done for a fraction of the average cost. The key to designing a space
that you can enjoy (within a budget of course) is knowing how to find exactly what you want at a
fraction of the retail cost. Follow the tips above and enjoy your new bathroom – you deserve it!
Be sure to check out our great bath selection online.
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